Think Dante and Hemingway are so last millennium? These new solo shows give us a fresh look at old lit.

American Limbo at Magic Theatre
When our dreams of home ownership conjures visions of $1 million fixer-uppers and our futures are laden with credit card debt, the story of the American Dream seems about as ancient as Dante and as hellish as his Divine Comedy. In fact, Dante's opus is the perfect blueprint for Deontay Wilson's solo show American Limbo, Black Soul's journey through African American oppression as he seeks the American Dream. Presented by Oakland Public Theatre, the play melds the prison writings of political prisoner George Jackson with the poetry of Langston Hughes and minstrel show music with Tupac Shakur. An ambitious and compelling work, American Limbo reminds the rest of us to shut up about real estate prices already.
Playing June 15 through July 2

Photo of Deontay Wilson as one of his eight characters in American Limbo.

Papa at Eureka Theatre
Nabbing a Los Angeles Times critic's choice award in January, John deGroot's solo show about Ernest Hemingway (played by Adrian Sparks) finally comes to the Bay Area, presented by Combined Art Form Entertainment. Incorporating 10 years worth of interviews from the likes of the author's drinking buddy in Key West as well as one of the guys who inspired "Old Man and the Sea's" Santiago, among others, Papa transforms the audience into Life magazine photographers and brings them to 1959 Cuba (the set includes the author's actual furniture). But this play is more than a look at the literary icon--a touching playwright's note reveals how his mythical character informs many a father/son relationship.
Playing June 16-July 2

For more stage options, check out the listings at the Guardian, the Express, the SF Weekly, and the calendar on Theatre Bay Area's website.